Building construction.



L. K. DAVIS. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 16, 1911.

' Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

We was 'lldTEtd i onro,

BUILDING CGNSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15,1912.

Application filed January 16, 1911. fierial No. 602,774

To nli whom it may concern:

i {HOWE that l, Lewis K. DAVIS, a

ll i rmed of vitrified clay or analogous material lvty present improvements are designed to orovide an proved construction of the character set forth, which be readily and economica ly manufactured and which will es in point of strength, du- ,1. ice to all strain, effective 6 at toe joints,moisture-proof conditions especially at the vertical joints, convenience, efft tiveness and general efiieieney. ..y present invention especially involv'es 'ubject-mstter a building tile or block relative association with the vertical columns oi concrete or twmentitious material which are usually employed. at the vertical wall joints at the abutting ends of adjoining blocks and with the stucco or finishing plastic which is applied to the exterior surfaces of the blocks and extends across the joints, substantially as hereinafter fullv described.

The improved block involved-in the subject-matter of my present invention is preferably formed of ceramic material, such as vit ified clay, and salt glazed to render the vitrified block absolutely impervious to moisture and dampness, after the manner set forth and covered by my previous Patent, No. 915,664, dated March 16, 1909; but it may be constructed of any other suitable or adapted material.

In the drawingsFigure l is a perspective view illustrating a wall construction according to my present invention and improvements. Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing an end elevation of the improved block. Fig. 3 is a detail view, showing a top plan. of the end-joint construction of the improved block. Fig, 4 is a detail view, on a horizontal cross-sectional plane, showing two of the adjoining blocks in their assembled Wall construction.

an improved end construction for Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, l designates the improved tile or block embodied in the subject-nutter of my invention, which consists of a body-portion, 2, having at each end a projecting end-joint construction, 3. Said block is in a continuous vertical length of uniform construction, and its body portion is provided with continuous vertical openings, a, formed by transverse vertical partitions, 5, extending between the sides, 66.

The hollow body thus formed consists of thelongitudinal vertical sides 6 and the trans verse vertical partitions 5, and has vertical end walls, 7-7, corresponding to the intermediate partitions 5, beyond. which end walls the end-joint construction projects and extends continuously and uniformly throughout the vertical length of the block. The exterior faces, of the sides 6 are provided with a series of parallel ribs or projections, 8, preferably extending vertically throughout the vertical length of the block and of flaring or approximately dovetail contour. Preferably, in the improved contour of these ribs or ]')I'Ojflll0ll8,'lllty have their outer faces coneaved, as at 10, to form a continuous vertical channel, and their side edge; concaved, as at 11, to form-continuous verti cal channels, and their edges rounded or curved, as at 12, to avoid sharp projections.

These ribs or projections 8 may of course be in any other suitable form or arrange ment, and they are designed to constitute a binding surface for the finishing stucco or plaster which Forms the outside wall-surface as at H- and the inside finlshll'i" sur- 7 b A. face, as at 15 in a wall construction constijtuted by a single thickness of these improved blocks.

The binding surfaces just described are particularly desirable when the blocks are formed of ceramic material with non-absorbent glazed surfaces, as plaster or other finishing plastic material will not readily adhere to the glazed surface but will firmly bind and look into the recesses of a binding surface formed of flaring ribs or rojections.

i Thcribs or projections 8 are pre erably con tinued in their series arrangement at the sides of the projecting end-joint construction, at the ends of the'improved block, as shown at 16.

The end-joim construction 3 comprises a rib. or projection, 17, at the outer side of the vertical end wall 7 and at the centralportion thereof, which extends throughout the vertical length of said wall and is of flaring or approximately dovetail contour. Preferably, the contour of said rib for projection 17 is such that its side edges are concaved, as at 18, and are curved or rounded to the outer face of the rib, as at 19,to avoid sharp projections. Said ribs 17 project into a reqesst; 20, formed by the side walls, 21-- -21. of the end joint construction 3, and said side waltstfi l'ha've their inner faces throughout their vertical length of flaring ontour. as at 22, so that they extend inwardly toward the base of the recess constituted by the end wall 7, and thus said recess 20 is of flaring or approximately dovetail contour. Prefer- ..a'bly, in the contour of the inner faces 22 of the'side walls 21, these approximately concave are curved, as at 23. at their connection with the end Wall 7. The improved relative confaces are curred in struction as just described provides an end recess affording increased width for the portion of the vertical joint-column of concrete or, cementitious material which engages with the end-joint construction in the improved building construction according to my present invention and improvements and also afiordsadditional strength at the endjoint construction by enabling an increased width of the side wal'ls 21 thereof especiallv at the inner connection of said side walls with the end wall 7. The improved construction. constituted by the flaring or dove tail side walls 21 in combination with the central rib or projection 17. also provides a double key-hold for the concrete joint-column. the recess 20 constituting one kcv-hold and-the rib or projection 17 constituting a supplementary keyhold at the central portion of the base of said recess. which is an important feature of my present improvements. The construction is also such. in its operative characteristics. that the central rib 17 forms a key-hold at the side of the concrete joint-column. while the. flaring or dovetail contour of the side walls 21-21 respectively form auxiliary kcy-holds'at the oppo- .SitO sides of the mouth of the recess, and

eonjointly form double auxiliary'krys supplementary to the central key 17. Th practice. the side walls 21 preferably have an opening or bore, 24, extending vertically through their body width or thickness. for

purposes of lightness and facility in the manufacture of the improved blocks.

outer faces, 25. of the side walls 2,1. are preferably provided with a groove or channel.

26, extending throughout the vertical length of said face and-oftiaring or dovetail con tour. and thcinner portion of said face 2:). beyond the channel 26, is preferably on a plane projecting beyond the plaiie of the outer portion of said face at the outer side form. as shown. and I The of the channel, as the adjoining blocks 1 are abutted end to end the inner portion 27 of the face 25 will abut directly against the corresponding part of the adjoining block. while the outer portion of the face 93 will be a short distance away from the correspond ng part of the adjoining block. thus forming a channel, as at 28. through which the stucco or plaster of the outside wall-surface l4 and the plastic material of the inside can pass into the grooves or channels 26, which latter thus form a key-loch for the plastic finishing surfaces. The projecting portitns .27 of the faces 25, however, form a tightjoint which prevents the concrete or ceincntitious material of the joint-column from passing beyond the recess 30. The advantages of the construction just set forth are that-a key-hold isfprovided for the plastic of the finishing surfaces 14 and 15 at the vertical joints between the blocks and the plastic material of the finishing surfaces is set in between the end-joints. so that the passage of moisture or dampness into the wall construction at the vertical joints is entirclv and effectively obviated. it being unshown at 27, so that when finishing surface 15 horizontal layers of blocks break-joints or r are staggered. as at 30, to avoid a continuous horizontal joint. The opposite recesses 20 at the abutting ends of each pair of adjoining.blocl s 1 thus conjointly form a double-joint recess or space in which are built up columns of concrete or cemcntitious material. 31. extending continuously and vcrticallv through the superposed layers or series of blocks and provided with vertical metallic reinforcing elements or ribs. 32. of any suitable or adapted construction. The continuous vertical columns of concrete 31 conforms to the interior space of the recesses 20 at .the abutting'ends of two adjoining blocks and thus have a sext'upled key-hold constituted by the baseerib or projection 17 and the locks at the opposite inner faces 22 of the sides 21 of each recess 20.

Tt will be of course understood that the improved end-joint construction 3 is provided at each end of the blocks 1. and that a continuous uniform condition exists in, the wall construction according to my invention 1 and improvements.

The advantages of my invention will be' readily understood by those skilled in the art to which it appertains. The construction provides in a simple and effective man ner a structure possessing maximum strength and durability as well as lightness and high eiiiciency in fire-proof and moisture-proof walls of prising a plurality conditions, and the improved blocks are adapted to be readily and economically manufactured in a continuous operation through an ordinary clay die-press.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the detail construction and arrangement 0 parts as herein shown and described. as it ismanifest that variations and modificationstherein may be resorted to, in the adaptation of my invention to varying conditions of use, without departing-from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variations and modifications as prop rly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim ant desire to secure by 1. In building constructions, a wall comprising a plurality of blocks having at their abutting ends a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base. which walls constitute a continuous vertical recess, the said. recess being provided at its side faces with inwardly-extending projections and provided with'a projecting portion supplementary thereto and extending into said recess, which projections constitute double and auxiliary key-holds in the recess and vertical columns of concrete or cement-itious material filling the adjoining recesses of the abutting projecting end-joint portions of the adjoining blocks and having a key-hold connection with the side projections and sup plementary projection in each of said. recesses, said key-holds being operative in the longitudinal plane of the Wal 2. In building constructions, a wall comof blocks having at their abutting ends a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base, which walls constitute a continuous vertical. recess, the walls of said recess being provided at its side faces with inwardlv-extending projections and at its base with a projection ex-- tending into said recess at right angles to said side projections, which projections constitute double and auxiliary kov-holds in the recess, and vertical columns of concrete or cementitious material filling the adjoining recesses ofthe abutting projecting end-joint portions of the 'z'uljoining blocks and having a lrcv-hold connection, with the sideand base projectionsin each of said recesses, said keyholds being operative in the longitudinal plane of the wall.

3. In building constructions, a Wall com- Letters Patent:

in each of said recesses,

prising a pi n'elity of blocks having at their abutting Elltls a projecting end-joint portion formed by side Walls and a base wall, which walls constitute a continuous vertical recess, the inner faces of the side Walls being of flaring or dovetail contour with relation to the base wall to form inwardlyextending projections, and the base wall be ing provided at its face with a flaring or dovetail projection extending into said recess intermediately of said side walls, whereby the side walls and projection on the base wall constitute d" :ible and auxiliary keyholds operative in the longitudinal plane of the wall, and vertical columns of concrete or ceinentitious material filling the adjoining recesses of the abutting projecting endjoint portions of the adjoining blocks and having a key-hold connection with the inner faces of the side walls and the projection of the base Wall of each of said recesses.

4. In building constructions, awall comprising a plurality abutting ends a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base. which walls constitute a continuous vertical recess, the walls of said recess being constitute key-holds operative in the longitudinal plane of the wall. the end faces of said side walls being provided with grooves or channels, vertical columns of. concrete or cementitious material filling thev adjoining recesses of the abutting projecting end-joint portions of the adjoining blocks and having a key-hold connection with the projections in each of said recesses, and a plastic material filling the space formed by the end grooves or channels atthe abutting ends of the adjoining blocks. 5. In building constructions, a wallowprising a plurality of blocks having at their abutting -ends a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base, which "alls constitute a continuous vertical recess, the recess being provided with inwardly-extending projections at its faces to constitute key-holds operative in the longiof blocks having at their provided with in'-' weirdly-extending projections air-its faces to tudinal plane of the wall. the end faces of i said side walls being provided with grooves or channels, vertical columns of concreteor cementitious material filling the adjoining portions of the adjoining blocks and having a key-hold connection with the projections and a plastic finishmg surface applied upon theface of the block and entering the end-joint between adjoining blocks and filling the space formed by said end grooves or channels.

6. In building constructions, a wall comrecesses of the abutting projecting end-joint prising a plurality of blocks having at their abutting ends a projecting end-joint portion formed byslde walls and a asc, which walls constitute a continuous vertical recess,

25 jolning blocks at the outer 0 nels,

45 tions upon the 55 faces and having said side walls being-provided with grooves or channels and having the end face at-the inner side of said grooves or channels projecting beyond the end face at the outer sides of said grooves or channels, whereby othe portion of the end faces at the inner side of said grooves or channels abut to gether at the end-joint between adjoining blocks while the portion of the end faces which is beyond and at the outerside of said grooves or channels is separated between adjoining blocks, vertical columns of concrete or cementitious material filling the adjoining recesses of the abutting projecting end-joint portions of the adjoining blocks and havlng a key-hold connection with the projections "in each of said recesses, and a plastic finishing surface applied upon the face of the block and enterlng the space at the end-joint between adside of said end rooves or channels and filling the space ormed by said end channels or grooves at the end joints between adjoining blocks to form a key-hold operative in the lateral .30 plane of the wall.

7 In building constructions, a wall comprising a plurality of blocks having at their abutting ends a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base, which walls constitute a continuous vertical recess,

the faces of the side walls and base wall being provided with projections constituting key-holds and the end faces of said side walls being provided with grooves or chanvertical columns of concrete or cementitious material filling the adjoining recesses of the abutting projecting end-joint portions of the adjoining blocks and hav-- ing a key-hold side and base walls of each of said recesses, and a plastic material appliedto the face of the block and entering the end-joint between adjoiningblocks and filling the space formed by said grooves or 60, channels, at the end-joint between adjoiningblocks.

8. In building constructions, a wall com prising a'plurality of blocks provided with grooves or channels in their abutting end the end face at the inner side of said grooves or channels on a plane begond the portion of the end face at the on r side of said grooves or channels,

wh reby the end faces at the inner side of said grooves orchannels closely abut at the end-joint between adjoining blocks and the portion of the end faces which is at the outer sidet of said grooves 01'' channels is separated at he end-joint between adjoining blocks,

and', a plastic material applied to the face walls constitute a connection with the projecof the block and entering the space between the portion of the end faces at the outer side of the grooves or channels at the endjoint between adjoining blocks and filling the space formed by said grooves or channels at the end-joint between adjoining blocks to form akey-hold operative in the lateral plane of the wall.

9. A building block of the class described, having a projecting end joint portion formed by-side walls and a base, which. walls constitute a continuous vertical recess, and provided with inwardly-extending) projections at the side faces and at'the. ase face of said recess, double and auxiliary key-holds operative in both the longitudinal and lateral plane of the block.

10. A building scribed, having a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base, which continuous vertical recess, and provided with inwardly eXtending projections at the side faces and with a central projection at the base face of and extending into said constitute double and auxiliary key-holds c-perativein both the longitudinal and lateral plane of the block. i

11. A building block of the class described, having a tion formed by side walls and a base wall,

which projections constitute blocli of the class dea recess at right angles to said side projections, which pro ections projecting end-joint porwhich walls constitute a continuous vertical recess, the inner faces of said side walls b eing of inwardly flaring or semidovetail conto respectively form inwardly'ex struction tending projections at the inner-faces of said side walls and the-face of said base wall being provided with a flaring ordovetail projection extending into said recess intermediately of said side walls, said side walls and base projection constituting double and auxiliary'key-holds operative in both the longitudinal and lateral plane of the block.

12; A building scribed, having a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base walh. whiclrwalls constitute a continuous vertical recess, and having inwardly-extending projections constituting key-holds-within said recess vand operative plane of the block, and provided at the end faces of said side .walls 'with grooves or channels. t

13. A building block' of the class described, having a projecting end-joint portion formed by side walls and a base wall, which walls, constitute a continuous vertical recess and having projections constituting key-holds within said recess, and provided channels being on a plane beyond thespor in the longitudinal block of the class de- 1,041,245 3 tion of said end faces which extends beyond outer face of the block, the Walls of these and at the outer side of said grooves or chandepressions near said exposed .outer faces of nels, and said outer reduced portion. extendthe block being of less depth than the inner ing to the plane of the face of the block. I faces, whereby when the blocks are brought 14. A building block of the class de- I scribed, having a projecting end-joint 'por- I tion formed by side walls and a. base wall, I which Walls constitute a continuous vertical I recess, and having projections forming key holds at the-side and base of said recess, and provided at the face of its body portion \vith projections forming lreysholils for a finishing plastic and with corresponding projections at the outer face ,of the side alls of I the projecting end-jointporti9n. cent said exposed outer face of the block of 15. A building block of absorbent ceramic 1 less depth than the wall at'the inner side of material with non-absorbent surfaces having a dprojecting end-joint portion formed by si e walls and a base all, which walls con- I means for the introduction of the cement into said T-shaped depressions, thereby looking the blocks together and the cement to their outer faces 17. A building oiock having an undercut depression in its end which is adapted to abut against the adjoining block, said depression being adjacent the exposed outer face of the block and having its Wall adjaadjoining blocks are abutted achannel is formed providing a means for the introducstitute a QOHUHHOHS vertical recess, and pro- 9 tion of a surface plastic into s id undervided within said recess with key-holds pro- I cut depression, thereby locking the blocks jectiug inwardly from said side walls and 1 together andthe plastic to their outer faces. operative in the longitudinal plane of the E In witness whereof I have signed my name block and upon its uon-absorlwnt surface 1 in the presence of the subscribing witnesses. with pro ections ifinfitllllilng kcv-holds tor LEWIS K DAVIS a'finishing plastio' 16. A building block having a hollow body 1 portion provided with T- sliaped depressions I in each end thereof and near the exposed ,Witnesses:

SIDNEY OLEARY, E. M. VON I-loPE.

together a channel is formed providing a the depression, whereby when the ends of 

